Earth's Greatest Magus

The last time Emery had received formal sword training was fifteen years ago, under the tutelage of the very woman now standing before him. Since then, he had been honing his skills alone, making this opportunity to spar with his old master a welcome one.

“Come with me,” Master Atika commanded. She led him to a spacious training room on the ship, where a dozen magus, including a grand magus figure, were in training. With a simple request from Master Atika, the room was promptly vacated, and the other magus showed no hesitation in leaving. This act alone was a testament to the high regard and respect she commanded within the Ouroboros Faction.

Emery felt a surge of anticipation as the room cleared. The two faced each other, the atmosphere charged with unspoken understanding and mutual respect. Master Atika drew her sword with a fluid, practiced motion, the blade gleaming in the ambient light.

“Now show me” she instructed.

Emery gave the female sword master a respectful nod before drawing his savage sword. He began to demonstrate his 6 stages of the [Dao Sword] techniques, seamlessly integrating his [Dao Steps] and [Dao Heart]. These techniques, although non-magus level, possessed a unique quality as they relied on the delicate balance of opposing forces: slow and fast, light and heavy, soft and hard, darkness and light, and even ice and fire.

Each movement was a dance of precision, his steps and strikes flowing with an almost ethereal grace. Emery had already mastered the 7th stage of [Dao Sword], but due to his current imbalance between light and darkness, he couldn’t fully unleash the technique’s true potency. Master Atika watched intently, her eyes tracking every movement with the scrutiny of an expert. Despite his impressive display, she parried and blocked all his strikes with ease, her blade a blur of effortless defense. When she finally stopped him, Emery couldn’t help to hope for a tiny bit of praise. Instead, she gives him a confused expression.

“You really teach this in the academy?” “….”

“I thought the three great sword sects had a Hall in there. Have you seen them? You really should check them out.”

“….”

Emery felt his confidence waver as if it had been struck by lightning. Hence, when Master Atika instructed him to unleash his sword skills, he didn’t hesitate. He began with his [Omega Strike], next, he transitioned to his [Dao Edge] and then showcased his [Void Blade].

To further display his depth of skill, Emery drew his second sword, demonstrating his proficiency in dual-wielding. He spun and slashed, the two blades moving in harmony, creating a dance of steel that was both beautiful and deadly.

Master Atika watched silently, absorbing every detail of his techniques. Occasionally, she offered casual remarks, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each move. Her insights were sharp and concise, highlighting areas where Emery excelled and where he needed improvement.

After an hour of relentless practice, Master Atika suddenly shifted her approach. She moved from being a passive observer to an active participant, launching into a series of offensive maneuvers. Emery found himself on the defensive, pressured multiple times by her relentless attacks. It was then that he realized she had successfully copied his sword techniques.

For the next few hours, Emery witnessed a complete rework of his [Dao Sword] techniques. Master Atika demonstrated subtle adjustments—putting more strength into his hips on one move, bending his body slightly on another—all to enhance the potency of his strikes. Her mastery was evident as she dissected and refined his techniques, each adjustment making a significant difference.

The two continued their intricate dance of swordsmanship, their movements fluid and precise. As the training session progressed, Emery began to enter a trance-like state. His body moved with a natural rhythm, guided by newfound insights and deeper understanding. Each swing of his sword felt more intuitive, each step more assured.

In this heightened state, Emery’s mind started to piece together the structure for the eighth stage of the [Dao Sword], a level that should be comparable to tier 7 skills. He could feel the balance of opposites—the yin and yang—merging more harmoniously within his movements. His strikes grew sharper, his defenses more resilient.

SPLATT!

Finally, Emery managed to land a cut on Master Atika’s arm, a clear sign that he had reached a new level in his swordsmanship. The cut was small, but it was significant—a testament to his progress. At the same moment, a notification echoed in his mind.

[You have successfully comprehended the law of the sword by 1%]

[Law of Sword: 4 (5)%]

The message was a validation of his hard work and dedication. Emery, breathing heavily but filled with a sense of accomplishment, bowed deeply to Master Atika. “Thank you, Master,” he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Master Atika smiled, a look of satisfaction in her eyes. “You have done well, Emery,” she acknowledged. Then, she placed her finger on her forehead, and a tiny light began to form. Moments later, the light flew from her forehead to Emery’s, entering his mind.

Emery’s mind was flooded with vivid images of an immensely powerful sword technique. He saw a swing that seemed to carry the weight of a mountain, a slash that could cleave through hills, and a strike that moved with the unstoppable force of an avalanche.

It was clear that Master Atika had imparted her [3 Axis Mountain Sword Techniques] to him. This tier 7 offensive sword technique could replace his [Omega Strike], and with enough practice, its nature-based principles could be seamlessly integrated into his [Dao Sword], which was currently dominated by his darkness-based skills.

The technique also came with a unique Sword Qi meditation method. Master Atika had expressed her belief that Emery’s [Dao Heart] was not a suitable meditation practice for a true sword path. To develop a proper sword aura and further improve his comprehension of the way of the sword, he needed to master this Sword Qi meditation.

“That’s it, there’s nothing more I can teach you,” said the sword master. “From now on, we are no longer master and disciple.”

These words struck Emery deeply, and he immediately dropped to his knees, bowing low. “Once a master, always a master. Thank you for your guidance.”

Master Atika sighed before leaving the room without another word. Her words and silent departure hinted at the possibility that she was preparing herself for the possibility that they might meet on opposite sides of the battlefield again.

After the profound session with Master Atika, Emery returned to his quarters. He dedicated the next few days to intense training, refining both his swordsmanship and the partial soul enslavement technique until they finally reached their destination.